It's A Crime (28 page)

He had a visceral effect on me
; the sudden familiar ache grew between my thighs. The rawness of his hunger for me was a serious turn-on. My head rolled backward onto his chest. He was aroused, his thick cock firm against my ass; I couldn’t keep from grinding into it. I wanted him. I wanted him inside me, completing me. He gripped my ass and pulled me up hard against him, his erection like hot steel.

My breasts swelled
, becoming heavy, my sex wet and swollen. I was hungry for him, greedy. Demanding. My breathing quickened. I sensed his hunger flowing through him, enveloping me. His powerful frame was hard and hot, and pulsing with the tension. He caged me in his strong arms, pinning me to the glass wall of the shower.

I rotated my hips
, softly caressing him. His sharp intake of air let me know my efforts were rewarded. His hands became needy, searching. He parted my moist folds with his fingers and inserted two into me, slowly moving them in and out, rubbing my clit. I craved his touch everywhere, searing my body. I writhed with the pleasure his fingers brought me, my core clenching and releasing with the first quiver of orgasm.

I bent over
, grabbing hold of his throbbing cock, and guided him to my overstimulated sex, and with an audible moan he slid in easily. He grabbed my hips and started rocking back and forth on his heels, thrusting in and out. I rubbed my clit, my passion building sending me soaring higher, higher than I’d ever been.

I felt the implosi
on inside of me. I came, my cleft contracting, tightening in pulsating rhythm around his shaft. I came until I couldn’t feel anything else. A hard shudder shook him and he growled, his hips circling and he came with a tormented groan.

That night we made love, fucked,
and did things to each other’s bodies without holding anything back. By the time I fell asleep in his arms, my body felt respite, sore and satisfied.

The next day
, we quietly made our way back to New York the same way we had arrived. Ray met us at the heliport and we climbed in the back of the Black BMW SUV. Both of us were somber. I was taken aback when Ray pulled up in front of my apartment building. I turned to Cole but I didn’t need to see his expression to know what my badly timed words had done.

“I will have all your things returned to your apartment
by tomorrow.” He wore a look of regret on his face. “Jason will drive your car here.”

“
Oh…okay, well...I had a great time. You and I, we were...it was fun. I had fun.”

He leaned in
toward me, kissing me gently, regretfully. My mouth was still sore from the passionate, primal sex we had last night. I put my hands in his hair and pulled his head closer to mine, holding him in place as my tongue tangled with his. I unhurriedly pulled away, licking my lips. He eyes narrowed and he reached for me. He ran the pad of his thumb over my parted mouth.

“Grace, I am not going to
just let you go and walk out of my life.” He lowered his eyes, grabbing my hands in his, holding me, keeping me from leaving. “I just need time.”

He must have seen the hope in my eyes.
He lifted my chin and leaned in to kiss me again. His lips touched mine so softly, my heart fluttered.

“W
ait for me. I love...time with you.”

My heart trembled;
I thought he was about to say what I was feeling. I loved him so much my heart ached.

“I
’ll wait…but don’t treat me like a fool. If you don’t plan on coming back…” Tears slipped unwanted down my cheeks. He raised his hand to my face, and he softy wiped them away. He kissed my cheeks softly in their place.

“Don’t, baby,
don’t.” His voice was soft, pleading; I hadn’t seen this side of him before. “I’ve never...felt…It’s not easy for me to express my feelings.” He had a tortured look on his face.  He looked directly into my eyes. “I can’t have you involved.” His whispered breath blew across my cheek, causing a shiver to run through me. “There is no one else, only you.. no one..”

He
had only kissed me and I was panting with want for him. He took my mouth again, filling me with the taste of his longing and need, his tongue a velvet lash of tormenting sensuality. The flesh between my legs had grown so swollen and sensitive, so vulnerable to his ravenous hunger, I immediately sensed the tightening in my core. It was unfortunate Ray was standing outside the car. I tried to shake off the desire coursing through my blood.

I kiss
ed him lightly and whispered, “Don’t take too long.”

He’d given me
hope. I was cautious.

Ray opened my door
and I quickly climbed out. I looked back and stuck my head in the door, speaking in a hushed tone, I said, “I
do
love you.”

A look flashed across his face
; lightning fast, but I saw it.

My eyes
filled with tears, again, and I turned to walk away.

“Grace
...” he trailed off. I held up my hand, effectively stopping him from saying any more. I straightened myself up and turned to Ray, extending my hand. “Ray, it was lovely meeting you.”

“Thank you
, Miss Preston. It has been my pleasure.” He bowed and took my extended hand, holding it briefly. I turned and hurried through the door Tony was holding open for me, not daring to look back.

Chapter 29

Jennifer walked in the door to see Todd asleep on the couch. She shook her head in disgust.

This bastard gets away with this shit all the time.
Never cleans the sink, never empties the dishwasher, NEVER gets the groceries. I guess I’m the asshole.

“
Poor Budds. You’re not responsible for jackass Daddy not taking you for your walk.”

She softly called Buddy to her and bent down
to attach his leash, quietly closing the door behind them. Together they walked to the elevator. Buddy was very anxious to go out, jumping up and down.

“
Okay, okay, Budds, we’re going out.”
Poor little guy; he had to be waiting a long time.

“Don’t worry
, Budds, I’m gonna’ make Daddy take you out nice and early tomorrow so
I
can sleep.”

She pushed open the heavy door and ascended the five steps from the basement door on the side of the building.
Dogs weren’t allowed to walk through the lobby. Buddy pulled hard on his leash. He lifted his leg before reaching the first tire.

“Poor Budds
,” she cooed.

Jennifer took in a deep breath of the cold air and pulled her hat down to cover her ears.
Son of a bitch, he knew it would be cold out. Didn’t even get to take my coat off.

She turned onto Gramercy Park East and walked to 3
rd
Avenue, then down to East 19
th
St. It was 1:20 am; her shift ended later than normal, and the streets were empty. Not even other dog walkers. She continued on her usual route, Buddy stopping to leave his mark at the scent of every dog before him.

Jennifer
turned onto Gramercy Park South and continued down the sidewalk. She’d be home soon, although it would be helpful if Buddy did his business. Buddy’s collar jingled constantly as he walked but suddenly stopped, and Jennifer looked down.
Thank God, he’s finally going. I’m freezing.

S
he heard the sound of footsteps behind her. She turned her head, hoping to see one of her neighbors, but no one was there. Buddy growled low in his chest but as soon as Jennifer started to walk again, Buddy’s attention shifted onto where to pee next.

Spooked,
Jennifer walked faster, Buddy’s jingling collar the only noise.

He
walked up behind her and she sensed his presence before she saw him. A thousand pins and needles shot through her body from the shock of seeing the blade raised in his hand.

Oh my God
.

Jennifer turned her body quickly
. The blade caught her on the neck. She instinctively lifted her leg and using every bit of strength she had, she kicked at him, catching the man in the knee. He bent over in pain. Buddy, small as he was, had the courage of a lion and he dug his teeth into the man’s ankle.  She kicked at him again and caught air. She was getting dizzy, the blood flowing freely from the deep gash in her throat. Adrenaline spiked through her veins. She started to run, more of a stumbling trot, as fast as she could.

She tried
screaming but the only noise that came out were gurgling sounds. She started choking, spitting blood out of her mouth. Her body slowed, the blood loss taking its toll. Too afraid to look back. She reached a brownstone...someone lived here.

Help me.
God please help me,
her brain screamed.

She
just needed to climb a few steps, then she could pound with all her strength on the door. She reached the steps, grabbing the railing with her bloodied hand, Buddy’s leash still around her wrist. He was barking now but no one looked out their window.

Oh God, please.
Doesn’t anyone hear him? Oh God, help me, please someone help me. He’s going to kill me. Oh my God. Oh my God.

T
he pulsing beat in her head pounded in perfect tempo with the blood spurting through her fingers.

She
had climbed the first two steps when he reached her and easily pulled her to him. He stepped behind a large bush and raised his blade again. She put her arms up in an attempt to cover herself, but he swiped at her throat with great force, his eyes glowing. Her head fell back. Her arms fell limply to her sides. She was floating now, weightless. Pins and needles replaced by a slowing beat…her heart.

Her body slid down the side of the man
, landing in a heap between the bush and the steps. Buddy barked and barked.

Oh, God
, Buddy
...

The man quickly walked away
, tucking his razor into his pocket. He lowered the hat he wore until it sat over his eyebrows. He looked all around, up and down. Not even one light on.
Fucking cunt kicked me.

He felt the familiar tightening in his jeans.
His erection grew quickly. He needed to relieve himself of the pain. He walked until the pressure was unbearable, then tucked into an empty alleyway, three blocks from the girl’s body, and jerked himself off. Moaning in agonized pleasure, he wiped his hands with a wad of napkins he took from his pocket and pulling his zipper up, he stepped out of the alleyway, no one the wiser. He placed the napkin into the trashcan, pushing it down, down, deeper inside, mixing with the other trash.

That
one was really good.
He liked when they were good.
Must be the chase that makes me harder.
He liked that one.

Back on the side of the brownstone, the blood flowed over the sidewalk
, spreading quickly. Buddy sat by her side whimpering, tentatively licking at the gaping wound on her neck.

Detectives
Dean Hansen and Carrie Verdi arrived at the scene. Several patrol cars blocked the flow of traffic, their lights flashing red and blue, lighting up the sky and bouncing off the surrounding buildings. The neighbors looked out their windows and slowly gathered on the street, craning their necks trying to see what happened.

The Medical Examiner arrived
just before they did and was kneeling down examining the body. He shook his head; he’d seen more of these cases then he cared to remember. Animal control arrived, and the two ASPCA men stood to the side, behind the police tape.

“Jesus Christ.
This fucker…I want this motherfucker, Carrie. I want him bad.” Dean turned his head to his partner, his fists clenched.

“You,” Dean called to the closest patrol officer
. “Get statements from everyone.
Everyone
. Got it?” Anger and tension strained his voice.